Over the years, the state of Alaska has gone by a number of unique nicknames. In the language of the indigenous Aleuts, it has been called “Alyeska,” which translates roughly to “The Great Land.” Alaska’s long summer days have also earned it the moniker “Land of the Midnight Sun,” which is quite fitting, considering the nearly 24 hours of daylight the state experiences in June and July.

But perhaps the most well-known nickname for Alaska is “The Last Frontier,” which was how it was generally viewed by most pioneers and explorers at the close of the 19th century. Now, more than a hundred years later, little has changed and Alaska remains just as mysterious and inviting as ever.
It’s big — really big

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Measuring from north to south, it covers a distance of 1,420 miles, and east to west it runs another 2,500 miles. That alone puts Alaska in a class all its own.
It’s wild

All of those rugged and untamed natural features give Alaska an undeniable allure for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers alike. If you’re truly looking to escape modern life and immerse yourself in the wilderness, Alaska is the place to go.
It’s largely unexplored

If you’re an adventurer looking to make your mark, there are still plenty of unclimbed peaks, challenging mountain passes and winding rivers to be explored in the Alaskan interior and beyond.
There are very few roads

Because of this, there are whole sections of Alaska that remain remote and almost entirely cut off from the outside world. That’s why the favorite mode of transportation for many Alaskans is by small aircraft, which grants access to certain parts of the state that simply can’t be reached by any other means. This has resulted in Alaska having six times the number of pilots per capita than any other state, and 16 times the number of aircraft per capita too.
It’s home to the tallest mountain in North America

Well known for its unpredictable weather, massive prominence and extreme technical challenges, Denali is often used as a training expedition prior to moving on to larger peaks such as Everest. Because of its extreme latitude, Denali is more difficult to climb than its altitude alone would seem to indicate. As a result, it just might be the closest thing to climbing a Himalayan peak that you’ll find on the North American continent.
It boasts unmatched wildlife

Along the coast, dolphins, seals, walruses and at least a dozen varieties of whales (including humpbacks, belugas, killer and blue) can be spotted. But it is Alaska’s large bear population that truly sets it apart from most other places. It’s estimated that about 130,000 bears live in Alaska, with the black bear being by far the most common.
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The massive brown bears found on Kodiak Island are the most impressive, however, as they have been known to grow as large as 1,500 pounds. Just imagine what it’s like coming across one of those creatures while alone on a remote trail.
There are unparalleled opportunities for adventure

It is a place where you can wander far from civilization and explore landscapes that few other humans have ever seen. That alone sets it apart from most destinations, where often you get the sense that even wilderness trails have been well trodden. At times, Alaska can be an incredibly demanding place, but it is also wildly rewarding.
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In an era when nearly every blank spot on the map has been filled in, and there are few places left where man has yet to visit, Alaska still manages to conjure images of adventure and exploration. That alone makes it worthy of the title of The Last Frontier, even today.
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